Census 2020
Contents
The 2020 Census was the 24th decennial census of the United States. Mandated by the Constitution, the census is conducted every 10 years to count every person living in the country. The official Census Day for the 2020 count was April 1, 2020.
Key Features of the 2020 Census
| • | First predominantly online census: For the first time, all households were invited to respond to the census online, in addition to the traditional options of responding by phone or by mail. |
| • | A "short form" questionnaire: The 2020 Census asked a minimal number of questions about each person in a household, including name, age, sex, race, Hispanic origin, and relationship to the person filling out the form. It also asked if the home was owned or rented. |
| • | Constitutional purpose: The primary purpose of the decennial census is to determine the population for the apportionment of seats in the U.S. House of Representatives among the states. The data is also used by state and local officials to redraw congressional, state, and local district boundaries. |
| • | Funding decisions: Census data is vital for informing the distribution of hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funds to states and communities for programs and services like education, healthcare, housing, and infrastructure. |
Impact of COVID-19
The 2020 Census was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, which significantly disrupted operations and posed unprecedented challenges to data collection. The Census Bureau had to adapt its procedures, including suspending some in-person visits. These disruptions led to concerns about the accuracy and quality of the final count.
The Census Bureau's own Post-Enumeration Survey (PES) later revealed that while the national total was largely accurate, there were significant undercounts and overcounts for certain demographic groups and states. For example, there were estimated undercounts of Black, Hispanic, American Indian, and Alaska Native populations, as well as renters and young children. Conversely, there were estimated overcounts of non-Hispanic White and Asian populations, and homeowners.
Relationship to the American Community Survey (ACS)
It is important to distinguish the 2020 Census from the American Community Survey (ACS).
| • | 2020 Census: A complete count of the entire U.S. population conducted once every 10 years. It asks a few short, basic questions to determine the total population for each state and locality. |
| • | American Community Survey (ACS): An ongoing survey conducted every year on a sample of the population. The ACS collects more detailed information on a wide range of social, economic, housing, and demographic topics. It replaced the "long form" of the decennial census, providing more timely and continuous data. |
In 2020, some households were selected to receive both the decennial census and the American Community Survey. The data from the two are used for different purposes, and both are required by law.